At times, I want to get away with God, to feel that my undivided attention is directed only upon Him, and His on me. Do you know what I mean? However, my world also surrounds me - demanding my undivided attention. I have to resist! My feelings of steadiness and security in my daily life also requires this private time with my Lord! My prayer shawl (tallit) allows me to feel I am wrapped in His loving arms.
In ancient times, God's people sought means to be wrapped in the presence of God every day of their lives. In Scripture... (Numbers 15:38-40) God gave the people specific instructions to make tassels (tzitzit) to the corners of their garments to remind them of all the commands of the Lord.
I am not Jewish. However, I do enjoy the outward, visible sign of God's love and care, and the manifested presence of His revealed Son and Holy Spirit I feel my tallit allows. I occasionally wear my tallit when I am alone, recognizing it is filled with truth and understanding of my Lord Jesus Christ.
My testimony:
A few years ago, a man who was dying of pancreatic cancer had given up all hope. His wife asked my wife Sally and I to come and pray for him - we did. As we prepared to leave home to go to him, I felt the Spirit of the Lord instruct me to take my tallit. Once we were there, after laying hands on him praying, I place my tallit over his head and shoulders and briefly explained how I believed my faith, combined with his in Jesus' name would heal him. The "light" of truth the tallit, I believe represented, healed the man and he lived on for an additional year beyond his 2 months he was told he would live. I gave the man my tallit to keep as we watched him cling on to it. His wife later gave it back to me after his passing a little more than a year later. Praise be to God who is able to perform miracles.
More information about the tallit or prayer shawl:
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